The Scottish Fishermen’s Federation argue that the largest EU countries have
the most influence and raise concerns about trawlers' quota after
separation.

Scotland’s fishing leaders have warned that independence could mean them getting a worse deal from Europe because the largest EU countries “win on the big issues”.

The Scottish Fishermen’s Federation (SFF) published an analysis of both sides’ claims in the referendum debate that highlighted a series of major problems that separation would create for the industry.

The document described as “very optimistic” the SNP’s claims that Scotland could negotiate EU membership between a Yes vote next month and leaving the UK in March 2016.

It said Richard Lochhead, the SNP’s Fisheries Minister, acknowledged that breaking up the UK would create a “contest” for its fishing quote between Scottish trawler men and their peers south of the Border.

In a major drawback for the industry, it said Scottish fishermen could no longer lease or purchase extra quote from the rest of the UK.

Although the “balance of risk” document did not recommend which way to vote, most of the major problems it highlighted were linked to a Yes vote.

It was published as the Scottish Government unveiled their own analysis claiming that separation would lead to “five gains” for the industry, such as a fairer share of the EU fisheries budget and direct representation in Brussels.

The SFF wrote to Mr Lochhead and George Eustice, the UK Fisheries Minster, asking them to set out their case on why fishermen should vote Yes or No respectively.

Mr Lochhead argued that fishermen would benefit from Scotland having a separate seat at the table of EU fisheries negotiations, while Mr Eustice said it benefited from the UK’s greater clout and cited examples of this.

After considering their responses, the document concluded: “All practical European evidence suggests that big will win on the big issues.”

Dividing up the UK’s fishing quota would be difficult and happening in parallel with negotiations over high-profile issues such as the currency and national debt, the SFF noted.

The industry has “rightly been nervous about coming second best in such contests”, the analysis noted. In conclusion, it said “nobody knows” whether fishermen would be better off as part of a separate Scotland or how long it would take to join the EU.

But Mr Lochhead said: “Independence will, for the first time, give Scotland complete and direct access to EU institutions and its own vote in the EU Council.

“Countries of Scotland's size can and do drive change in Europe. Denmark and Ireland are two smaller states with big fishing interests which have demonstrated they can be influential in areas that are important to them.”